§ 4. Mr. EVELYN CECILasked whether His Majesty's Government are at present under contract with a company, of which 99 per cent. of the shares are held by a German company, for the supply of petroleum products to the Navy; and whether His Majesty's Government will discontinue employing this or any similar company during the War?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt has been ascertained that the actual share capital of the company which the hon. Member apparently has in mind is owned to the extent of one-half by subjects of our Allies in the field, namely, Belgium, France and Russia; the other half is owned mainly by German shareholders. Some portion is understood to be in Roumanian hands. There are now no German directors. The employés of the company are exclusively British. The company possesses certain facilities for distribution of petroleum products, and the contracts which the Admiralty have entered into with the company are by virtue of its agreements and relations with a number of producing companies as their accredited distributing or sales agents for various petroleum products. Steps have been taken in this and other similar cases to ensure that the requirements of the Trading with the Enemy Act are fully met. The Admiralty do not therefore propose to take such steps as are suggested in the second part of the question.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the London County Council have terminated their contracts with this company?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI was not aware of that; I will take note of it. All these cases have passed through a very narrow sieve.